The Park Board voted Sept. 16 to authorize $88,000 for design work on a proposed community building at Blacktail Dam, with board members saying the funding commits the county only to design and bidding rather than to final construction. The fee was approved by roll call after a motion, with the vote recorded as passing.

The community building is an alternate to the park master plan and would sit southwest of the group campsite near the amphitheater, project staff said. The design packages shown to the board compared a wood “stick” building and a metal building; both plans called for roughly 2,500 square feet of assembly area, interior and exterior-accessible restrooms, a service window for events, and about 40 paved parking stalls with identified overflow parking.

Jeremy, a parks staff member who presented the proposal, told the board that “the only thing that we're absolutely committing on today is that $88,000 for design fees.” He said the construction manager at-risk (CMAR) JE Dunn will take the design to bid and return to the board with a guaranteed maximum price for final approval. “JE Dunn will take the building to bid. If you guys approve us moving forward, JE Dunn will take us to bid,” Jeremy said.

Board members pressed on costs and potential uses. One member noted the estimated per‑square‑foot cost appeared high and asked whether the building could be rented for weddings, reunions and other events; Jeremy said rental was an intended use and that the board would continue its partnership with the Blacktail Dam Association for some programming. Another member commented, half in jest, that the building could be called “City Hall.”

The staff presentation included a summary budget for the overall Blacktail master plan that showed a roughly $1.6 million figure for master‑plan items (the building had been an alternate in the original WSB plan). Staff said value‑engineering and alternate bids during final design could reduce costs and that the CMAR approach will provide a firm price when bidding is complete. Jeremy said there are opportunities during the design process to identify add‑alternates and lower the estimate.

The board’s approval of the $88,000 design fee does not authorize construction; JE Dunn will prepare bids and the board must vote separately on any construction contract or guaranteed maximum price. The design work will also break out hardscape (concrete/parking) and allow the board to consider lower‑cost alternatives such as gravel parking.

The board additionally discussed programmatic details and operations: the building would be year‑round, include indoor/outdoor serving capability and accessible restrooms, and staff expect to market it as a rental for groups. Parking, restroom proximity to existing campground facilities and per‑square‑foot pricing for bathrooms and kitchens were discussed as major cost drivers.

The motion to approve the design fee passed by roll call vote; the board directed staff to proceed with JE Dunn advancing the design to bid and to return with a construction price for board approval if bids come in within budget.